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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Saturday morning, April 11, 2020
This morning the avalanche danger is LOW and avalanches are unlikely. However, areas of heightened wet avalanche conditions and MODERATE danger will develop again in the heat of the day, most likely in sheltered areas. People could trigger wet avalanches, and some natural activity is possible in very steep terrain.
  • Get an early start so you can beat the heat and be off of steep slopes before they soften up.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
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Weather and Snow
It's pretty warm again this morning, with temperatures hovering near freezing in the mountains, 40°F in Logan and 50°F in Smithfield. Temperatures climbed close to 50°F yesterday, and there is 88 inches of total snow at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel with 110% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. It's 29°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station this morning, and increasing winds are currently blowing about 28 mph from the west-southwest.
Clouds and wind will likely keep wet avalanche danger low on most slopes today, but temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 40s again at upper elevations. Temperatures were fairly warm in the Logan Zone last night and clouds may have kept the snow from refreezing well. People still could trigger wet avalanches on very steep slopes during the midday warmth, especially in sheltered terrain. Nighttime temperatures will drop into the teens tonight, and the wet snow will freeze solidly and become much more stable.
Evaluate terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk during the current health crisis. Staying off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees is the best way to avoid problems.
High pressure in place across the state this morning will give way to a a cold front crossing the region late today through early Sunday. A cool northwest flow will remain place through much of next week.
Snow showers are likely in the mountains today, and some thunder is also possible. 8500' high temperatures will climb to around 45°F, and it will be breezy, with a west wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Snow showers are likely tonight, and around an inch of accumulation is possible. It will be windy, with 27 to 32 mph west winds and gusts in the 50s. Low temperatures are expected to drop to around 16°F.
Tomorrow, skies will be partly sunny with high temperatures around 31°F and 11 to 16 mph west-northwest winds.
Recent Avalanches
There have been several recent natural wet loose avalanches and cornice falls in the Logan Zone due to very warm temperatures in the mountains.
photo 4-9-2020, Wood Camp
photo 4-9-2020, Mill Hollow
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Overnight temperatures hovered around freezing at most stations in the Logan Zone again. The saturated snow did not refreeze well, and temperatures will warm significantly throughout the day again. The danger is low this morning and avalanches are unlikely, but elevated conditions for wet avalanches will once again develop on some very steep slopes, especially in sheltered areas.
  • Watch for loose, unconsolidated snow, roller balls, pin-wheels, and natural sluffs as telltale signs of instability.
  • If you or your machine starts sinking into saturated snow or if the snow where you are gets warm and slushy, you should move off of and out from under steep slopes.
  • Stay off and out from under large ridge top cornices, which could break much further back than expected and might trigger avalanches on steep slopes below. Cornices will sag and buckle in the daytime warmth, and some may calve large chunks.
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations....HERE. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
We will update this forecast before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.
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